Cryptobiosis is an ametabolic state of life entered by an organism in response to adverse environmental conditions such as desiccation, freezing, and oxygen deficiency. In the cryptobiotic state, all metabolic processes stop, preventing reproduction, development, and repair. An organism in a cryptobiotic state can essentially live indefinitely unt...Found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptobiosis

(from the article `aschelminth`) ...Though basically aquatic, as are all aschelminths, nematodes can be found in deserts and polar regions because of the ability of some to survive ... The ability of some nematodes and rotifers to survive drying or freezing conditions in a state of suspended animation, i.e., cryptobiosis or ... [2 re...Found on http://www.britannica.com/eb/a-z/c/164

A tardigrade A reversible state in which an animal's metabolism has come to a virtual standstill. It is exhibited by various types of organism, including the tardigrade (shown here). A tardigrade, or 'water bear,' can go into a hibernation mode, known as the tun state, that is more akin to susp...Found on http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/C/cryptobiosis.html

cryptobiosis 1. The condition in which all external signs of metabolic activity are absent from a dormant organism. 2. Latent life; the state of an organism showing no visible signs of life. 3. The condition of an organism that must in theory have at one time existed, but that has left no fossil traces. 4. A state in which the signs of life of a...Found on http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/info/view_unit/2455/2

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